BB_TX
09-03-2008, 10:48 AM
Last year, both my wife and I were started on Metformin (popular medication for diabeties) when elevated blood sugar levels began showing up in lab tests. I was over normal on the glucose level and just under on the A1C. My wife was over on both.
After retiring at the end of March and taking COBRA for interim insurance (I am 62/Dw is 60), we spoke to an insurance agent about insurance when COBRA expires and until we reach 65. She said that with us taking Metformin, some insurance companies would not take us and those that did would have higher premiums. On our next doctor visit, we discussed getting off Metformin and trying diet and exercise. He agreed to let us give it a try until our next visit in 3 months. We also went to a diabetic education class (actually 3 2 hour classes) and really learned a lot about how diabeties works and about what, how, and when we should eat. We also began walking 2 miles a day, 5-6 days a week.
Well after 3 months, both of our blood glucose and A1C levels are down to or near normal without medication, our cholestrol levels are down significantly from our last visit (well into the normal range), and both of our blood pressures were down (where both had often been a little high before). Doc reduced DW's blood pressure medicine.
The exercise (while a pain doing it) actually makes us both feel better afterward and more energy during the day. And it is a time we can just be together and talk, or not. And we found we can eat anything anyone else eats, we just have to watch portion sizes. Neither of us are overweight and are not on a diet calorie-wise, just a diet carb-wise. Volume-wise, we can eat as much as ever if we are careful about the types of food we eat.
We both used to be physically active, but became more sedentary over the years. Looks this will give us some incentive to get back there.
Kind of a long post, but I found this experience to be very educational.
After retiring at the end of March and taking COBRA for interim insurance (I am 62/Dw is 60), we spoke to an insurance agent about insurance when COBRA expires and until we reach 65. She said that with us taking Metformin, some insurance companies would not take us and those that did would have higher premiums. On our next doctor visit, we discussed getting off Metformin and trying diet and exercise. He agreed to let us give it a try until our next visit in 3 months. We also went to a diabetic education class (actually 3 2 hour classes) and really learned a lot about how diabeties works and about what, how, and when we should eat. We also began walking 2 miles a day, 5-6 days a week.
Well after 3 months, both of our blood glucose and A1C levels are down to or near normal without medication, our cholestrol levels are down significantly from our last visit (well into the normal range), and both of our blood pressures were down (where both had often been a little high before). Doc reduced DW's blood pressure medicine.
The exercise (while a pain doing it) actually makes us both feel better afterward and more energy during the day. And it is a time we can just be together and talk, or not. And we found we can eat anything anyone else eats, we just have to watch portion sizes. Neither of us are overweight and are not on a diet calorie-wise, just a diet carb-wise. Volume-wise, we can eat as much as ever if we are careful about the types of food we eat.
We both used to be physically active, but became more sedentary over the years. Looks this will give us some incentive to get back there.
Kind of a long post, but I found this experience to be very educational.